This was a long time coming. When I first saw the trailers for this film, I was not sure if I was going to appreciate it, let alone like it. Because on the surface, it did look like a compelling character study with the backdrop of one of the most iconic villains in comic book history. However, my most significant concern was that at its core was, in actuality, a pale imitation of classic films from the 1970s like Taxi Driver. The more I examined the film, the less interested I became in seeing it. Then came it's theatrical release, along with with the reviews, and the audience reaction, all of which kept me from even giving this film a shot. That is, until today, when I finally hunkered down and rented this film to see what all the fuss was really about. As it turns out, all of my initial fears were correct. Everything about this film, say for the genuinely stellar performance by Joaquin Phoenix and haunting music, this movie is an assault! As in the terrible kind that no one should ever have.
Taking place in the fictional city of Gotham, which is in the middle of a garbage strike, the story follows a man named Arthur Fleck (Joaquin Phoenix), who has severe mental health issues. The most difficult of which is a condition that causes him to randomly laugh to the point where it seems to cause him pain. He works as a clown-for-hire, has no social life, is bullied by everyone, and has dreams of becoming a stand-up comedian. All the while struggling to take care of his ailing mother. All of this and more build-up to a massive mental breakdown where Arthur, while dressed in his clown gear, kills some Wallstreet jerks on the Subway. This prompts a city-wide "Anti-Rich" movement causing riots and the like. Arthur, enjoying this level of attention, takes on the mantle of Joker and begins embracing his insanity in the worst possible way.
Now, there is a lot more to this plot, which I didn't go into, but please believe me when I say that this film has no clue what it's doing.
As I had feared before, Joker is a mere attempt at capturing the essence and original message of the classic film Taxi Driver. In that, it is a story about the ugliness of society, apathy, and arrogance. All of which are important things to address, and have been in significantly better movies. Joker, on the other hand, pretends to understand what it's talking about, under the assumption that throwing shock value at the audience is enough to pass as "deep." The movie doesn't do anything with an ultimate purpose or meaningful goal, it just does stuff because...Martain Scorsese did it.
The film's most significant problems are twofold: First, it bashes the audience with visual cues and references to better movies without understanding them. Second, it claimed to be a "real movie" disguised as a comic book movie.
First of all, if you just paste the style of other more accomplished filmmakers onto your own work, all you're gonna do is call attention to what little skill and talent you have yourself. Second, if you want to make an original movie using familiar characters, then do so. Don't make the film then act like you accomplished something superior to everyone else's hard work. Not only does it make you look arrogant, but it's also just mean spirited and wrong. Finally, the idea that the only way to be taken seriously as an artist is to be dark and gritty and depressing is not only outdated, it's stupid!
Aside from the genuinely excellent lead performance and the gorgeous music, Joker has no redeeming value. It is an insult to your intelligence, an assault on your emotions, and it has no justifiable reason for any of it. If you've managed to miss this film so far, keep on doing so. You can live a long and happy life, having never seen this atrocity.
Ladies & gentlemen, I am TheNorm, thank you all for reading.
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